Each Reiki practitioner should devote some time to understanding the body’s energy systems, specifically the chakras. Originating from the Sanskrit word “wheel” or “vortex”, the chakras are swirling transformation centers, the master programs that govern our behavior, emotions, creativity, learning, and development by transmitting energy that coordinate the reception, integration, and transmission of life force energies.

The chakras are located along the spine from the tailbone to the crown of the head. They impact and govern the physical organs located near each chakra. Each chakra is attached to the spine and faces outward toward the front of the body. Chakras can become unbalanced in either a deficient or excessive manner. During a Reiki session a practitioner can often sense differences in the body’s energy, specifically in the area of each of the chakras. Sometimes the sense is a change in temperature, a dense or prickly feeling, or simply a subtle change in the sensation in the palms.

It is important to understand where the chakras are located, as well as how they behave, when detecting energy symptoms in a client. Because the chakras are part of the body’s high vibration energy center, they will be impacted by high vibration energy thoughts and beliefs. Everyone carries negative thoughts and beliefs about themselves. Over time these negative thoughts and beliefs will begin to break down our body’s energy systems, just as repeated exposure to harmful poisons and toxins such as ingesting heavy amounts of lead or nicotine will eventually begin to break down the physical body. The specific chakra that will be affected will depend upon the content of the negative thought or belief.

Crystals and essential oils are tools that can be used to help strengthen the chakras. For example, the root chakra is concerned with basic matters of survival. A dense feeling around the root chakra may suggest fear for physical well-being or distress around finances. Essential oils that are earthy such as patchouli or sandalwood can be diffused throughout the room during a Reiki session, triggering an olfactory response that influences memory and emotions, helping to clear stuck or stagnant energy and creating a sensation of stability and safety. Tiger eye or red jasper are examples of crystals that are in harmony with the vibration of the root chakra and can be used during a Reiki healing by placing them on, around, or near the body. Different stones will correspond to the vibration of the different chakras. These tools can be used to help foster conditions within the body that allow the body to begin or continue the healing process.

There are physical exercises that can be done during a Reiki session that will also help support the chakras. Frequently feelings of grief will settle in the heart chakra. Physical side effects of this may manifest into heart disease, asthma or pneumonia. Breathing exercises can clear and balance the heart chakra, which will impact the health of the lungs. One effective technique is breathing through alternate nostrils. Close off the right nostril with the right hand, breathe deeply through the left nostril. Holding the breath at the top, release the right hand, and use the left hand to close the left nostril. Breathe out through the left nostril. Breaths should be deep and mindful. This simple exercise promotes deep relaxation and can be used at the beginning of a Reiki session to create an inner place of peace.

Intention is a keystone of Reiki and affirmations are statements of intention. Once a deficient or excessive chakra is identified affirmations can be used to reinforce an intention for each chakra. For example, when setting an intention before a Reiki session to clear the root chakra an affirmation such as “I am immersed in abundance” or “My needs are always met” affirms the power and influence of the root chakra. When working with the heart chakra through the effects of grief, avow the intention of mending with the affirmation “All past hurts are released into the Universe” or “Love and compassion for myself and others release me from past wounds”. ​These instruments are just a sampling of the many ways to enrich a Reiki practice, but knowledge of the chakras is key. The chakras are vibrant spheres of life force energy. They are the information exchange centers of the body – physical, emotional, and spiritual. Understanding the characteristics and meaning of each of the chakras is essential for a balanced, resilient Reiki practice. An intimate awareness of the chakras, and the tools that support them, will enhance the practice of Reiki by assisting others in moving deeper into discovery of the self, leading to an improvement in physical health and an enriched life.

​We have all been humbled by the events of recent weeks. Seemingly overnight our lives have been plunged into tumultuous waters of fear and uncertainty. We are dealing with the anxiety and foreboding that accompanies sudden and unwelcome change. And we are suffering from the effects of isolation, trying to move through new and unfamiliar lives when slowing down, staying home, and being present in the moment are required.

For many of us, the prolonged isolation feels suffocating. Once we complete our busy work, finishing our to do list, we realize that we can only clean our homes so often. When the closets are organized, the junk draw is cleared, and the oven is cleaned, what do we do next? We find ourselves with extra time. Time can be stifling because we often avoid it by keeping busy. And, that busy-ness allows us to avoid deeper thoughts that may threaten to smother us with the truth of who we are, and who we must become. When we are not busily engaged with the tasks that we have set upon ourselves, the mind begins to wander, and the imagination takes hold.

And thus, we begin to navigate the new world in which we now live. Not just the new limitations of our physical lives, but also the expansion of our spiritual lives. Now we read a book, play a game, cook a meal. We allow the quiet and still moments into our lives. Regardless of whether the life that we are experiencing right now may feel a little chaotic, there are still moments of peace. Those are the nuggets that we grasp, little bits of joy when seeing the delighted smile of a child or noticing the sparkling dance of sunbeams through the kitchen window.

This time that we are being given is a gift. Time gives us the chance to think, to contemplate, to dream. Although quiet has been thrust upon us, we can use this time to create peace in our lives. And in that new-found peace, we can find a connection to our divine selves. We are being forced to pay attention to the quiet, where the inner self has a chance to speak. Why is this time sacred? Because we have an opportunity to explore this slowing down of our lives. When we strip away the frustration, the fear, the insecurity of the future what are we left with? We are left with only what we dream about and how we see ourselves. When we see ourselves, we can begin to dream about what kind of life we want. And that vision starts to become rich with color, with flavor, with texture. We vision because we have the time. And in the discovery of who we are, we will begin our lives anew. With a purpose that allows us to acknowledge and pursue our passions. This is our sacred time.

When we come out of quarantine, we will return to lives that may initially look familiar but are very much changed. It will be a while before we can even begin to understand the far-reaching impact that this global pandemic will have on our community – both local and universal. And the underlying influence that it will have on our personal lives cannot even be anticipated at this time. The changes will creep up, without us being aware, until we look back six months or a year from now, and we suddenly realize just how different things have become. This is our opportunity to embrace the change and use this pandemic as a chance to create a new life for ourselves of purpose, prosperity and peace.

Reiki practitioners, as any other holistic healer, are not immune to the fear and insecurity that are prevalent in the world right now. But we are called to a higher standard because of our practice of energy medicine. We are charged with the responsibility of being Light Leaders. We know this when we begin our Reiki training. But how can we, as Reiki facilitators, be of service right now? Particularly when we are also having this human experience of tumultuous change?

First, we need to practice self-care. Practice Reiki on ourselves, and those around us. Meditation is best, but if that is not possible taking at least take 5 minutes per day to have a few minutes of quiet is essential. Diffusing essential oils or smudging, and carrying crystals are great tools to use for protection from toxins and poisons – be they physical or emotional. Create a loving, Reiki field of protection around yourself and your family.

Then we need to embrace the change that is happening. With all the fear, the anger, and disappointment. As with all change, there is a lesson to be learned, a blessing to be bestowed. This is the most difficult part, and the most important. We must be the Light Leaders, and truly lead by stepping over the bridge of what has been to what is, and then reaching out a hand to help others across it.

Finally, we stay calm and we breathe. When the panic starts up – How do I pay my rent? How do we eat? Remember your Source. Seek to stay connected to your divine self. And remember that we have access to a life of abundance and prosperity, regardless of how circumstances may appear.

We can hold the space for healing in our country and in the world. We can do that by sending Distant Reiki to our Global Community. Take time each day to intentionally send healing energy to all of those that suffer with the virus, to all of those who work in the public sector – health professionals, emergency responders, truckers, retail workers, etc., to our leaders and medical experts who are tasked with navigating the world through the crisis. We can practice Reiki on our families, or those that we live with. Keeping the energy body strong and supported is as important as keeping the physical body safe and protected. Reiki will also provide deep relaxation and stress reduction. It will help to decrease worry and fear.

We can continue to deepen our Reiki practice by exploring the Reiki principles, remembering that “Just for today” has a Universal meaning. Just for today we can be who we are, where we are. And tomorrow we start over, a little bit bigger and a little bit brighter. Now is the time to step further into our Reiki calling, welcoming each occasion where we can be of service. ​Practicing self-care is critical right now, as we need to be present and available to do our work. Staying calm and embracing the changes will assist us in getting through this time and allow us to be of support to others. Our world is shifting, and right now our work is to help usher in the changes.

I hear the term “unconditional love” bandied about as a solution to the increase in racism, bigotry and misogyny that our current administration has brought out in some of our country’s citizens. And when I hear the term it sometimes gives me a start because practicing unconditional love is a responsibility that needs to be understood in order to apply it. How do we practice unconditional love for those who have hurt or abused us? How can we practice unconditional love toward those whose faiths or philosophies differ from our own? ​One thing to understand is that while love may unconditional, relationships are not. If a marriage falls apart because of infidelity, one can still view the unfaithful partner with unconditional love. But that does not mean infidelity is acceptable in an intimate relationship. If a family member is repeatedly abusive, one can still wish for them love and happiness, without placing oneself in harms way. In fact, sometimes we can find it far easier to practice unconditional love toward a stranger or a group than to an individual that we have history with. Relationships have conditions that create the framework in which the relationship operates. It is healthy and wise to set boundaries and to expect to have them honored. It is by honoring and protecting ourselves that we can find a way to love and wish joy to those in our lives, no matter the circumstances.

What about on a larger scale? How can we love unconditionally those whose opinions or beliefs are different than our own? Because of our political climate, many unpleasant things have been brought to light about our society, and about the people that live in our country. The image of white supremacists spewing hatred and terrified children in cages, the dismantling of women’s rights and decreased services to the helpless and needy, and an overall increase in awareness that there are millions of our citizens that operate from a place of hate and bitterness have all served to create an environment of mistrust and disdain. Still, we can hold a vision of love and happiness toward those who operate from a place of anger and hate. Our wish can be for those to find a place of peace that will bring forth happiness.

To love unconditionally is not easy. Because we are having a human experience we can, and probably will, fall into the trappings of the ego. We feel justified in hanging onto anger toward those who have wronged us. We can’t fathom how to wish joy to those that we view as monsters. The solution? Fake it until we make it. We try to notice when we are feeling angry, bitter or hostile toward an individual or a group. And with that acknowledgement we can make a choice to wish them well, bear them no ill will. This simple practice can be done without having to change one’s beliefs or to accept abuse. Eventually the practice will become a habit, and then a way of living with compassion. Loving unconditionally is not about condoning vicious behavior or agreeing with principles that we believe are damaging or dangerous. Loving unconditionally is realizing that we have the power to wish others well, and to use it without compromising ourselves.

We have all had that feeling at one time or another. Something that shows up in the gut, an inner knowing that cannot be explained, or explained away. And yet, our mind tells us that what cannot be seen cannot be trusted, so we ignore the feeling of anticipation or foreboding, and we push it way down into the energetic body, where it can no longer disturb us. How much of our lives are spent engaged in the internal and ongoing argument between the ego and the soul? And how do we move from a place of human experience to a place of divine inspiration?

We move to a place of divine inspiration by listening to the voice of the soul. Listening to the voice of the soul is a practice and a process. Creating space to be quiet and become comfortable with being alone with our thoughts is critical. Start by dedicating a time each day, just five minutes to begin, and finding a peaceful spot, unplugged and quiet. This is a time to let one’s thoughts wander through the hills and valleys of the imagination.

Once we establish connection to our quiet self, we need to ask what is the inner voice, and how can one recognize it? It may come with a feeling in the pit of the stomach, an expansion of the heart-center, or a tingling sensation within the body. An awareness is sparked, an awareness of emotion and/or beliefs that we hold dear because they are familiar and comfortable. With this awareness, contemplation will follow. And we may discover that those beliefs no longer serve us. ​Once we establish a practice of being quiet, and begin to recognize our inner voice, then what? Again, listening to the sacred inner voice is a practice. Sometimes listening to the soul is easier than others, particularly when what the soul seems to be saying is contrary to our expectations. We need to have faith and choose our inner voice even when it is awkward or uncomfortable. Each time we choose our inner voice with success we will feel a deeper connection to our higher-self, and we will experience more of the truth of who we are, who we are meant to be. We discover a deeper meaning to our lives and feel more joy. Eventually we will trust our inner knowing and begin to speak and behave authentically from the heart.

Each Reiki practitioner is familiar with Usui’s five precepts; principles by which to live a happy life. The more we align with the five principles, the more heightened our practice becomes. And each time we experience a little miracle, a drop of magic, within the practice of Reiki, we deepen our belief and faith in the process.

Each precept begins with the term “Just for today”. This reminds us to stay in the present moment, doing the best we can at any given time. Regretting a past that cannot be undone or worrying about a future that hasn’t arrived only hinders us and keeps us from living in the now. Just for today gives us permission to forgive ourselves for past transgressions and frees us from the impulse to try to control the future.

The first principle is not to turn to anger. Anger is a secondary emotion, a fierce reaction to fear or hurt. If we dig down to the source of our anger, we will discover a raw feeling of pain or fear. For example, if we are cut off in traffic, nearly escaping an accident we may get angry, but the underlying feeling is one of sudden fear. Or if we are treated disrespectfully, our anger stems from hurt feelings. Recognizing the feeling that is at the core of our anger is key to bringing ourselves back to an emotional center, allowing us the opportunity to move into the present moment.

The second principle is not to worry. Engaging in constant worry is extremely destructive to both our mental and physical health. There is absolutely nothing to be gained from worrying about the future or fretting about the past. There is a difference in being concerned about a situation and taking appropriate action and worrying about a future in which we have no control. Gaining clarity around how much control we have over the situation will help guide us back to a place of acceptance and peace.

Living in a place of gratitude is the third principle. We can all come up with things to be grateful for, and some days the list is longer than others. Gratitude can encompass both the big things and little things in life. Good health, loving family and friends, and financial flow are all big things that we are grateful for, but how about when one of these main areas is challenged by illness, loss of a loved one, or financial hardship? We can still be grateful for the sun shining, a place to lay our head each night, or the opportunity to brighten someone else’s world. Even in our darkest hours, we can be grateful that we lived to see another day. Practicing gratitude keeps us in the here and now.

The fourth principle is to do the work that is ours to do. This precept has more than one meaning. First, we are reminded to complete the work that is ours to do each day with honesty and integrity. Next, when one of our tasks is to support and be of service to another, we recognize that our work is not to fix anyone or try to take on their work. This principle is also a reminder to get out of own way and allow Spirit to work in our lives. Discerning the difference in what action is ours to take, and when to let go and let things unfold.

Loving and respecting all is the fifth principle. Sometimes when we strongly disagree or find ourselves engaged in conflict it is hard to remember that we are all divine souls having a human experience, and as such we are far more alike than we are different. ​The key to living these principles is to take it one day at a time, acknowledging that we will not live each principle 100% on any given day. But by being mindful of when our thoughts stray to anger, worry, self-pity, frustration, etc. we can more quickly move back into our heart center. Practicing Usui’s precepts will ultimately lead us to more peaceful, joyful and fulfilling lives.

Intention, intuition and integrity are the underlying keystones of Reiki. Intention is when we turn our attention to channeling Reiki. We set a deliberate intention to begin the energy flow. This is necessary as we practitioners must be able to do other work without automatically facilitating the flow of Reiki. We do not automatically channel Reiki while doing dishes, shaking hands or petting our animals. We must communicate to Spirit that we desire to access the life force energy. This is done by setting a clear intention. One can state the intention out loud, or simply in the mind.

New practitioners often feel awkward and unsure of themselves. Most of us pay close attention to hand positions, whether working on ourselves or others. But within a fairly short time we all begin to discover the power of our intuition. Intuition is the most effective tool we have when we practice Reiki. With experience we begin to understand the subtle nuances of the energy body, and intuitively begin to move our hands, letting our inner self guide. Once we begin to hone our intuition, and trust it, we can start to draw conclusions about how we are experiencing the energy flow. And those conclusions are used to help guide the practitioner further into the practice or Reiki.

Integrity is critical when practicing Reiki. We must always set the highest intention, working to the highest good of both the facilitator and the recipient. Using our intuition to guide us, and then being mindful of the language we use, the suggestions we make, and the information we share will must be sheathed in integrity. ​The keystones of intention, intuition, and integrity are present in each Reiki session, be it in person or distant healing. Each of these keystones is essential to the practice of Reiki. Each Reiki experience gives us the opportunity to be clear about our intention, to practice listening to our intuition and strengthen our faith, and to work to the highest good of all involved.

Reiki practitioners have many different reasons to begin the practice of Reiki. Some become practitioners to be the healer in their family or tribe. These practitioners typically reach the level of Reiki II and are at peace with a practice where they are of service to those that they love, providing healing energy as a supplement or alternative to drugs or invasive procedures. Some Reiki practitioners train in the practice of Reiki to enhance their primary vocation, be it massage therapy, nursing, mental health counseling, physical therapy, yoga, etc. These practitioners use the practice of Reiki to improve the lives of their clients or patients by providing them with an added method of integrative health care. And some Reiki practitioners discover a desire to spend their lives following the calling of becoming a full-time Reiki professional, guiding and supporting their clients in positive change, and educating and training future energy medicine facilitators.

One thing that each of these practitioners have in common is the transformative nature of Reiki, and the magic that begins to manifest in their own lives. Each time the practitioner observes a positive response or change as a result of their work, faith in the healing power of energy is confirmed. Witnessing a relief of chronic pain, renewed vitality and sense of purpose, a release of grief, or an awakening of spirit will have a great influence on the Reiki practitioner. Each time the practitioner feels or observes the power of Reiki there is another moment of clarity, a deeper understanding of the simplicity of the natural laws of energy.

And this deeper understanding eventually leads to a sincere desire to align oneself with the natural laws of the Universe and energy. The five precepts of Reiki – to not anger, to do our work in the world, to be grateful, to not worry, and to love and respect all – become a way of life. The day begins with a promise to oneself to stay in a place of peace, being present in each moment, observing our feelings and reactions as we go about daily business. These actions eventually lead to living a life of greater compassion and authenticity, abundant with magic and little miracles.

As a Reiki practitioner, one will be awed and inspired by the power of Reiki and its impact on the lives of those served, but the greatest transformation manifests within the Reiki practitioner themselves. Faith in the healing power of Reiki energy continues to grow, strengthened by continued commitment to the practice.

Late at night, once the little town of Excelsior has gone to bed, the lake lies silent under a blanket of snow. The sound of that silence is penetrating, embracing. A quiet, inviting place that urges the soul to speak. And more importantly, a place to hear what the soul is saying. The still, small voice of the soul is always in dialogue with us. Sometimes as a quiet feeling that urges us to move in a certain direction, or occasionally as a strong feeling in the pit of the stomach that shouts out for our attention. So why don’t we always listen to what the soul is trying to say?

In this, our Western culture, we are not taught to listen to our inner voice. But rather we are encouraged to put our trust in proof, facts that can be substantiated by evidence. Acting upon a gut feeling is considered unwise, or even irresponsible. In this human experience, we yearn to know what the future holds, and tend to act based on what the tangible evidence suggests will be the outcome of those actions. But the soul speaks a different language, a language based on feeling. And frequently, there doesn’t seem to be any logical or tangible reason for the feeling. So, we ignore it. But how many times have we found ourselves crying out in exasperation, “I knew that was going to happen!”

​The sound of the soul will never misguide us, and it will always lead us down the path of our highest good. But we need to learn how to listen for it, hear what it says, and then act upon it. Because the voice of the soul is a quiet one, it is often eclipsed by the clatter of our busy lives. Spending our days doing this, taking care of that, running here, stopping there, leaves little time for quiet space. In order to hear the still, small voice we need to take a few minutes each day – even five minutes – to just sit quietly. Whether the focus is on the breath, or letting the mind wander through the hills and valleys of the imagination, spending quiet time with oneself is a critical first step in learning to hear what our inner voice is trying to say.

And when we have made the space to listen to our highest voice, what do we hear? We can hear ANYTHING! There is an infinite number of possibilities for every situation that we face each day. Comforting for when we think we know the next best thing to do, but disconcerting when we cannot fathom why our gut feel is guiding us off into a totally unexpected direction. And yet, the feeling persists.

Once we are aware of the still, small voice, and can sense what it is trying to say, the final step is acting in accordance with the message. Acting upon a strong, but vague feeling takes a special kind of faith and courage. Even if we must shut our eyes, hold our breath, and jump! Remembering that the voice of the soul will never deceive us, and what may feel like a leap off the edge of a cliff, is really only a step down from the curb. Into a whole new Adventure.

“A gut feeling is actually every cell in your body making a decision.” – Deepak Chopra

​Einstein showed us that everything is energy. The lower the vibration, the more solid the mass. The higher the vibration, the less solid the mass. The human body is a perfect example of a system that includes all types of energetic vibrations. The physical body consists of lower vibrations such as the skeleton, muscles, and organs. Higher vibrations would include bodily fluids such as blood, semen, and saliva. The highest vibrations of the physical body comprise the energy body and consist of the aura, the chakras and the meridians.

The chakras are the body’s energy transmission centers, receiving energetic information from the environment, and sending transformed energy to the physical body. The chakras vibrate at very high frequencies and are therefore transparent, or invisible.

Dr. Valerie Hunt, a professor of kinesiology (study of human movement) at the University of California has been studying the body’s energy systems since she began to measure the aura in the 1970’s. Her work with chakras uses an electromyograph, which measures the electromagnetic output of the human body. She discovered that the physical body emanated radiation at sites typically associated with the chakras. In addition, she realized that specific levels of consciousness were related to specific frequencies. For example, when people are going about their daily lives their energy reads about 250 Hz (hertz is one cycle per second), more sensitive individuals that demonstrate a connection with their psychic abilities usually range from 400 to 800 Hz, and those that are extremely sensitive such as trance specialists and channelers typically range between 800 and 900 Hz. Based on these and other studies, Hunt concluded that the body is more than a conglomerate of physical systems, but that all physical systems are organized by energy – specifically bioenergy. The study suggests the existence of the chakras, and identifies them as involved with the physical, emotional and energetic nature of the body.

Dr. Hiroshi Motoyama, a scientist and Shinto priest (indigenous faith of the Japanese people), has conducted numerous studies to verify the human energy systems, many of which have become the subject of his more than twenty books. Motoyama’s observations were that internal feelings correlate to objectively measured periods of heart energy and led him to conclude that mental concentration on a chakra is the key to activating it. Itzhak Bentov, scientist and inventor who helped pioneer the biomedical engineering industry by inventing the steerable cardiac catheter, has duplicated Motoyama’s findings.

More research will lead us to a greater understanding of the chakra system and how to use energy medicine to strengthen and support our energy bodies.